Direct deposit for county employees

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a plan to issue paychecks to county employees by direct deposit or through a payroll debit card only

The measure will be implemented with the April 12 payday for the two-week pay period ending April 8.

Finance director Joni Smith said no longer hand-delivering checks to employees will save staff in the payroll office time they currently spend sorting and distributing several dozen paychecks every other Friday.

A financial savings, however, is not likely to be realized, Smith said.